Each year, NIADA presents the National Quality Dealer Award to one dealer who has exemplified a commitment to quality and excellence in the industry, as well as outstanding customer service and community service.
NIADA will crown the 2025 National Quality Dealer of the Year on June 24 during the Awards Luncheon at the Convention and Expo at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at this week’s two finalists:
New Mexico
Paul Cervantes
Albuquerque Auto Outlet
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Paul Cervantes has been a dedicated professional in the automotive industry for more than 30 years, bringing extensive expertise in sales, finance, and franchise operations with Nissan, Toyota, and Lincoln-Mercury-Volvo dealerships.
In 1994, he founded his own buy-here pay-here (BHPH) dealership, which he has successfully operated for three decades.
As the first dealer in New Mexico to complete the Certified Master Dealer program, Cervantes has received formal training in automotive finance and dealership management. He is also certified through the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals demonstrating his expertise in automotive finance compliance.
His unwavering commitment to fair and ethical auto sales practices has earned his dealership an A+ rating and Accredited Business status with the Better Business Bureau along with a strong base of repeat customers.
An active member of NIADA since the beginning of his dealership, Cervantes has served in both local and national leadership roles. He is a two-time recipient of the New Mexico Quality Dealer Award and remains deeply involved in his community, regularly supporting local charities and schools.
Tennessee
Guy Thorpe
Thorpe Automotive
Knoxville, Tennessee
Guy Thorpe took a job at a car dealership in a hiatus from his TV career, expecting it to be a brief stop.
More than 25 years later, he’s found a home as a car dealer. He opened his dealership in January 2018, with a vision to provide high-quality vehicles in East Tennessee with honesty, integrity and a family-first approach.
Built on hard work, family values and dedication to treat every customer like family, the dealership has become a trusted name in the community, offering vehicles handpicked for customer satisfaction. Thorpe Automotive has a 4.7-star rating on Google from its loyal customers.
Thorpe has demonstrated a strong commitment to his community through his active involvement in various civic and volunteer activities. He has been a dedicated volunteer member of his church for 28 years, contributing his time and efforts to support its programs and initiatives.
With his wife Stephanie, he co-founded Wheels of Grace with the mission of supporting single parents facing financial challenges related to vehicle ownership.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the team organized a donation drive to support those affected by the disaster, personally delivering essential supplies to impacted areas.
Thorpe currently serves as the president-elect of the Tennessee Independent Automobile Dealers Association, where he plays an active and influential role in supporting dealer education initiatives and organizing key events. He regularly attends dealer commission meetings to raise awareness of critical issues affecting Tennessee’s independent dealers, ensuring their voices are heard on important legislative matters. Additionally, Thorpe makes annual trips to Capitol Hill to participate in the policy conference, advocating on behalf of independent automobile dealers nationwide.
Read about all the NQD finalists here.
